Archer man arrested for giving two 16-year-olds marijuana in exchange for sex
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eric Levon West, 35, of Archer, was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of human trafficking of a minor, two counts of traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual contact, two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell after allegedly picking up two 16-year-old girls and giving them marijuana in exchange for sex.
On February 11, 2023, West was driving behind an RTS bus when he saw the two girls get off and offered to give them marijuana. One of the girls gave West her phone number so he could contact them when he had the marijuana. West allegedly contacted the girl later and arranged to meet both girls to provide the marijuana. The girls said they got into his truck when he arrived, and one of the girls said she heard him say he was “gonna want something” in exchange for the marijuana. Both girls told Gainesville Police Department officers that they told him they were 16 years old.
West reportedly drove the girls to a gas station on Tower Road and bought the girls some chips and soda. He then drove to the parking lot of the Home Depot on NW 4th Boulevard, where he moved one of the seats in the truck to make more room in the back seat. He reportedly got into the back seat with both girls.
The victims told officers that West took off his shoes, pants, and underwear, and one of the victims performed oral sex on him. Then West allegedly told the other victim it was her “turn” and had intercourse with her.
The victims said that before leaving the parking lot, West told them he would take them to a hotel the next time. He allegedly gave each girl “a nominal amount” of marijuana and took them back to the area where he had picked them up.
The victims were able to provide a description of the man and the truck, and officers used the phone number that he had given to one of the victims to identify the man as West; West is also the registered owner of a truck matching the description provided by the victims.
Cell phone records reportedly show communications between West and one of the victims on February 11, and location information from West’s phone reportedly shows him in the area where the victims were picked up, at the gas station, in the Home Depot parking lot, and back to the area where the victims were dropped off.
Detectives reportedly made contact with West on August 24 and 25 on the victim’s phone, pretending to be the girl. During the exchange, West allegedly asked the victim about her friend and said he had some good marijuana for them and had a “spot on 20th [Ave] where we can go” after the victim asked if they were going to have sex in the truck “again” or go to a hotel. In response to a question about what else he would give the victims in addition to marijuana, West allegedly replied, “$.” West reportedly agreed to meet the victims at a gas station on SW 20th Avenue at 6 p.m. on August 25.
West allegedly texted the victim several times to let her know he was on his way, and the victim asked him to pick up a Sprite for her.
West was arrested as he came out of the gas station; a search of his truck reportedly produced a Sprite that had just been purchased at the gas station, two unused condoms, and 20 grams of marijuana.
Post Miranda, West reportedly said he first saw the girls when they got off a bus, and he exchanged numbers with one of them. He reportedly confessed to picking up both girls, taking them to the gas station near Home Depot, and buying chips and sodas for them. He reportedly admitted to moving the seat to make more room in the back seat but said he just smoked marijuana and talked to the girls and did not have sex with them.
West reportedly told officers that he does not use condoms when he has intercourse with his wife and could not explain why he had two condoms with him after texting one victim that he wanted “both of y’all”; he reportedly said he was just referring to hanging out with the victims.
West has a felony conviction for child neglect and seven misdemeanor convictions, including a hit and run and marijuana possession. Bail information is unavailable on weekends.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Â
OK….judges….whatch you gonna do when he comes for your daughter? Please think of this when it comes time to sentence this dirt bag.
You don’t even know him. You are only looking at old childhood charges? This man is in his 30s now What if this was your son? The police have been known to set people up and put innocent black men in jail by setting them up and flipping the script when they think they have their guy. But to not look like they messed up they throw everything they can think of. But the same hate you put out alway come back to you 1000 times fold. Don’t believe everything you read when they have not done their own real research. They are only giving you old records and lies that some kids told to get themselves out of trouble and it is sad that they lied on someone like Mr. West. I know in my heart and soul he is a wonderful man that saved a girl from being eaten by alligators once he noticed, she was in the water and was bobbing in the alligator-infested waters. because she was drunk and her little boat flipped over. No one on the boat wanted to help but Mr. West stepped in and made an effort to save her that day. Or how he helps a little old lady get home and to the store so she doesn’t have to not have to walk on a long rule area Road road. There are so many things that this young man has done for people to help them that I could go on and not stop talking for years. See people are not their past and people that do change their life for the better and go out there way to help other is not a bad thing. It’s just sad that you can not help anyone anymore.
I hate to burst your bubble but why would such a nice young married man of 35 need to exchange telephone numbers with two 16 year old girls that he saw get off a RTS bus. Cell phone records do not lie. He obviously called and sent texts. He admits contact with them and giving them rides. He admits getting in the back seat of his truck to smoke marijuana with the two 16 year olds. He carried on conversations with two teenage girls since February. Why would this 35 year old God fearing married man admit that he died wear condoms when he has sex with his wife but be in possession of two unused condoms when he was arrested. Even without the two girls statements I believe at the texts and possession of the condoms pretty say he was planning on having sex with two underage girls in exchange for drugs. He may gave done some great things in his life but this incident probably wipes out a lot of good plus his marriage.
With all the evidence the text will law enforcement you can defend this POS your just as sick as this bastard
“West reportedly told officers that he does not use condoms when he has intercourse with his wife”
Well… now something tells me when this creep gets out of jail he better not try to get too friendly with the wife….and go easy on the food and sleep with one eye open too.
Oh……what a tangled web he has woven!
God sees all and God knows all and you don’t need to worry about his home worryy about your home
If God sees all, does that mean God sees you defending a pedophile? Isn’t there something in the Bible about not harming children? Isn’t there also something in the Bible about not being a self-righteous blowhard?
Surprised he has a wife, at least for now….
👹🤡🤬
Sad you feel this way. Maybe you should pray for him other than being mean.
Oh trust me I am praying for him that when he gets to prison he becomes bubba’s bitch
A man without sin can cast a stone. I see that no one has a right to judge anyone’s character by a one-sided article in this world. I pray that people open their eyes and see the wrong that the system is doing. I pray they don’t ever put your family through this. I pray for this family and that the truth comes to the light and this storm past. This article is so wrong and disturbing that people could be like this to someone that would give his last to people, even people that means him no good. You are only by looking at old childhood charges. This man is in his 30s now. What if this was your son? The police have been known to set people up and put innocent black men in jail by setting them up and flipping the script when they think they have their guy. But to not look like they messed up they throw everything they can think of. But the same hate you put out alway come back to you 1000 times fold. Don’t believe everything you read when they have not done their own real research. They are only giving you old records and lies that some kids told to get themselves out of trouble and it is sad that they lied on someone like Mr. West. I know in my heart and soul he is a wonderful man that saved a girl from being eaten by alligators once he noticed, she was in the water and was bobbing in the alligator-infested waters. because she was drunk and her little boat flipped over. No one on the boat wanted to help but Mr. West stepped in and made an effort to save her that day. Or how he helps a little old lady get home and to the store so she doesn’t have to not have to walk on a long rule area Road road. There are so many things that this young man has done for people to help them that I could go on and not stop talking for years. See people are not their past and people that do change their life for the better and go out there way to help other is not a bad thing. It’s just sad that you can not help people anymore.
Learn how English.
Your definition this Chester just trying to help people takes in a whole new meaning.